Combined bumper and tool box

ABSTRACT

A combined bumper and tool box is provided having a rigid tray which is completely open at the top. A three section hinged cover for the tray is provided comprising a central section and two side sections. The closed central section covers projections on the side sections so that locking the central section closed can lock all three sections closed. The cover sections have interengaging parts through which all three sections may be detained in open positions.

United States Patent Inventor Calvin J. Dent Klamath Falls, Oreg.

Appl. No. 883,571

Filed Dec. 9,1969

Patented Oct. 19, 1971 Assignee David Lynn White Sunnyvale, Calif.

COMBINED BUMPER AND TOOL BOX 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 280/500, 220/29, 224/42.04, 293/69 Int. Cl ..B60r 19/02, B60d1/06 Field of Search 293/69;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,217,317 10/1940 McNally etal. 254/133 2,554,680 5/1951 Morris et a1. 206/16 3,471,070 10/1969Olson 224/4204 3,501,170 3/1970 Da Valle 280/500 Primary Examiner-ArthurL. La Point Assistant Examiner-Robert Saifer Attorney-Clarence M. CrewsABSTRACT: A combined bumper and tool box is provided having a rigid traywhich is completely open at the top. A three section hinged cover forthe tray is provided comprising a central section and two side sectionsvThe closed central section covers projections on the side sections sothat locking the central section closed can lock all three sectionsclosed. The cover sections have interengaging parts through which allthree sections may be detained in open positions.

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INVENTORI CALVIN JIDENT l'mw'l is afforney vby: ff/mwa COMBINED BUMPERAND TOOL BOX This invention relates to automotive vehicles, and moreparticularly to pickups, which are notoriously deficient in theprovision of space for conveniently housing tools and accessories.

It is a primary purpose of the invention to provide a combined bumperand tool box, adapted to carry a jack, chains and/or other tools andaccessories in an out-of-the-way but conveniently accessible,theftproof, and relatively quiet manner.

It is a further feature that the box cover, which is heavy, is made in aplurality of distinct, hinged sections, a first section being providedwith a lock, and normally overlapping a neighboring section when closed,so that locking down of the first section locks down the neighboringsection as well. Illustratively, a central section locks down two sidesections.

It is also a feature that the hinge axes of adjacent cover sectionsintersect one another in such a manner that the adjacent section edgesapproach one another as they are swung toward closed condition, and thatprovision is made of an offset projection on one edge of a pair ofadjacent cover section edges, so arranged that the projection may becaused to block closing of both affected sections, thereby causing thetwo sections dependably to maintain one another in open positions.

In accordance with another feature, the bumper is made to include a pairof carrying bars which are rigidly and directly united with the inner,lower and outer walls of the bumper tray, and extend inward through theinner bumper wall for attachment to opposite sides of the chassis. Thiscontributes importantly to the strength and rigidity of the bumper, andto the security of its attachment to the vehicle.

The carrying bars are desirably of less height than the interior of thebumper, partially divide the interior of the bumper into compartments,and may jointly serve to maintain a jack in fixed position.

The outer bumper wall is desirably provided with an external, centralrecess in which trailer tow means and a live electrical supply socketfor trailer use are accessibly provided.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing forming part of this specification, disclosure is made ofpresently preferred, practical and advantageous embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the rear end of a pickuphaving an illustrative box-bumper applied thereto, the box-bumper beingshown empty and in a set, open condition;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view with the box-bumper closed, but withthe cover partly broken away to reveal a jack in stored position;

FIG. 3 is a view in rear elevation of the open box-bumper;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bumper tray showing details of the interiorstructure;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in sectional elevation of a portion of thebumper tray, the section being taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in sectional elevation, the section beingtaken on the line 66 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in sectional elevation, the section beingtaken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary detail view showing how the boxbumper issupported from the chassis of the pickup chosen for illustration at aproper level for cooperation with trailer hitches, and for matching theheight of passenger vehicle bumpers;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail view showing particularly one of a pairof projecting members provided on the side sections of the cover; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the bare outline of a box-bumper of roundedcontour, the bumper being in all other respects like the bumper of FIGS.1 to 9.

The novel box-bumper 10 of FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusive, is shown applied toa pickup l2 of conventional construction.

Briefly, the pickup 12 comprises the usual wheels 14 (one shown), asprung body 16 which, with a hinged tail-gate I8, defines an open loadcarrying tray 20, and a chassis or frame which includes longitudinalside bars 22 (FIG. 8).

The box-bumper 10, if supported at the level of the bars 22 of theparticular vehicle shown, would be inconveniently high for loading andunloading, mounting and dismounting purposes, for trailer hitchpurposes, and for matching the height of other bumpers. The box-bumperI2 is accordingly shown as including at opposite sides of the vehicle,vertically extending mounting bars or plates 24, the mounting bars beingrigidly secured to the respective chassis bars 22 in any suitablemanner, as by bolt and nut combinations 26.

The bars 24 are made rigidly unitary with horizontal carrying bars 28and 280 which extend fore and aft and which form partitions, supportsand rigid reinforcements for the tray portion 30 of the box-bumper 10.The union of the bars 24 with the bars 28 and 28a may be effected in anysuitable manner as by welding or riveting, and the bars 24 may be variedin length to suit the particular needs of the vehicle to which theboxbumper is to be applied. In an appropriate case the bars 24 may evenbe omitted, and the bars 28 and 280 would then be directly bolted to thechassis members 22 of the vehicle.

The tray portion 30 of the box-bumper shown in FIGS. I to 9 includes aninner wall 32, a bottom wall 34, an outer wall 36 and end walls 38;adjacent walls, as shown, being united by welding. Spot welding alongthe edges of the bottom wall 34 is desirable because it'leaves openingsfor the escape of any water which may find its way into the tray. Thisdetail is'not important, however, since drain holes of limited size canbe provided through the bottom wall wherever useful. The several wallsof the tray could even be'stamped as a single, integral steel forging.Needless to say, the tray and other parts of the box-bumper are maderustproof inside and outside as 'by plating or coating.

The carrying bars 28 and 28a, which are desirably channel bars, asshown, extend outward through slots formed in the inner wall 32. Theyengage the inner wall 32, the bottom wall 34 and the outer wall 36, andare welded to each of these walls. Neither bar extends the full heightof the tray, each forming a partial partition. The bar 28 is modifiedand supplemented by a filler block 40, suitably secured, asby welding,on its upper surface, the block forming a rest for cover sections 42 and44. The other carrying bar 28a is notched and has its notch partiallyfilled by a reinforcing channeled member'46 for cradling the operatingportion of a jack 45. The interior of the tray desirably has a width toaccommodate comfortably the major dimension of the jack base, so thatthe jack is substantially confined against movement. The channeledmember 46 is supplemented by blocks 48 and 50, suitably fixed on top ofthe bar 280 and made unitary with it as by welding, to provide rests foradjacent margins of cover sections 44 and 52. As will be apparent, thetray is divided into three distinct compartments, arranged toaccommodate the jack in the central compartment and in a minor part ofone of the side compartments. The side compartments may be used forcarrying chains and other tools and accessories.

Between the carrying bars 28 and 280 the bottom wall 34 has an upwardextension 340 which lies in the plane of the inner wall 32 and is weldedto it. The inner wall 32 is notched to receive a vertical portion of abottom wall member 340 to which it is welded. The inner wall 32 hassubstantially greater thickness and strength than the wall member 34a.

The bottom wall 34, in the bumper chosen for illustration, consists offour pieces, namely, the horizontal portion of the piece 34a, sidepieces 34b and 34c, and a thicker and stronger center piece 66.

As noted, the tray 30 is provided with a cover consisting of threesections 42, 44 and 52. The cover sections are independently mountedthrough hinges 54 along the upper edge of the inner wall 32. The sidecover sections 42 and 52 are provided on their inner margins withprojections 56 which underlie adjacent margins of the central section44, so that when the cover sections are closed, the central section 44obstructs opening of both of the side sections. Locking means isprovided for the center section 44, consisting illustratively of a hasp58 affixed to the section 44 and a cooperating staple or eye member 60which projects outward from the outer wall 36 of the tray. It will beapparent that the center cover section 44 may be locked closed by meansof a padlock, desirably a combination type of lock, and that the lockingclosed of the center section locks closed the side cover sections aswell. With the arrangement described, each cover section will becomparatively light, and each may be lifted singly, provided the centersection is lifted first, but all may be controlled through the singlelocking means provided on, and in connection with, the center section.

It is desirable, when access to the interior of the boxbumper isrequired, that provision be made for detaining two or more of the traycover sections dependably in open condition. To this end, the inner traywall 32 is not disposed in a single plane. A central portion of the wallextends directly crosswise of the vehicle, but the end portions inclineoutward (rearward when the box-bumper is provided at the rear of thevehicle as shown). This makes possible the disposition of the hinge axesof side cover sections 42 and S2 in intersecting relation to the hingeaxis of center cover section 44, so that adjacent edges of side andcenter edges approach one another as the widely opened cover sectionsare swung toward their closed positions. The projections 56 on the sidesections are so shaped that they may be caused to interlock with edgeportions of the center section. All three cover sections are shown asdetained open in this fashion in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The outer bumper wall 36 does not extend straight across from end to endbut is formed with an external recess midway of its length which is lessthan half as deep as the full breadth of the tray and of considerablyless length than the length of the central tray compartment. As shown,this recess is formed by inwardly converging wall sections 360 and 36cand a central wall section 3612 [t is upon the central wall section 36bthat the locking staple or eye 60 is mounted. The central cover section44 is correspondingly notched.

The purpose of the recess is to provide accessibly a conventional towball 62 and a conventional electric socket 64 for trailer use. Toprovide extra strength and body for the tow ball mount and reinforcementfor the narrowed portion of the boxbumper, the plate 66 is made muchthicker and stronger than the remainder of the bottom wall. The plate 66extends beneath the mounting bars 28 and 28a, is of a width equal toabout one-half the full breadth of the tray, and is welded directly tothe carrying bars 28 and 28a. It is desirably made about three times thethickness of the bottom tray wall sections 34a, 34b and 34c.

A plural wire cable 68, leading from the vehicle battery, is introducedinto the central compartment of the box-bumper through arubber-grommeted hole 68a in a wall thereof, and terminates at thesocket 64. A conventional pivoted cover 65 is provided for keeping waterout of the socket.

In order to prevent slipping of the jack relative to the bottom of thebumper when the jack is in use, and in order to assure the location ofthe jack near one of the carrying bars 28, 28a, parallel ribs 72,properly spaced to receive the jack lift between them, are provided onthe lower face of the plate 66, preferably being welded in place.

Provision is also made of safety tow chain anchorages at opposite sidesof the central recess of the bumper. The outer bumper wall 36 isprovided with rectangular openings 74. Just behind each of theseopenings a fitting 76 is set. Each fitting has the form ofa halfcylinder open at the bottom, comprising an upper, flat, semicircularwall 78, a semicylindrical lateral wall 80, and a vertically disposedaxial anchoring post 82. The upper wall 78 and the lateral Wall 80terminate in a common vertical plane, abut the outer bumper wall 36, andare.welded to it. The bottom of the lateral wall 80 terminates in ahorizontal plane, rests on the plate 66 and is welded to it. Theanchoring post 82 is longer than the lateral wall 80. It extendsdownward through the plate 66ffittirig through an opening formed in saidplate. Each fitting combines with the plate 66 and the outer wall 36 toform a semicylindrical recess, with the post extending completely acrossthe recess. A chain having an intermediate portion passed around thepost and its ends affixed to a trailer cannot accidentally becomedetached. The trailer has threefold security against detachment from thepickup; to wit, the hitch and each of the two chains. Any one of thethree would normally be adequate to prevent separation.

The box-bumper 10x of Figure 10 is generally like that of FIGS. 1 to 9,differing only in the matter of external configuration. The outer wallis curved at its ends to form end closures for the tray, there being nodistinct sidewall members. The outer wall is similarly curved to mergesmoothly into the converging, recess-forming wall portions correspondingto the portions 36a and 36c shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

l have described what l believe to be the best embodiments of myinvention.

lclaim:

1. A bumper for automotive vehicles in the form of a tool box closed atthe ends and long enough to extend across, and to protect, a vehiclethroughout the entire width thereof, said bumper comprising a shallowtray portion which includes vertically disposed, rigid inner, outer andend walls and a rigid horizontally disposed bottom wall rigidly unitedwith the inner, outer, and end walls, cover means hingedly mounted onthe inner wall for completing the enclosure, and locking means forretaining the ,cover means in closed condition, said cover meanscomprising a plurality of independent, hingcdly mounted sections withadjacent sections having parts disposed in lapping relation and thelocking means provided on a single overlapping, dominant section, theconstruction and arrangement being such that the locking down of thedominant section in closed condition may be caused to retain the entirecover in closed condition.

2. A bumper for automotive vehicles as set forth in claim I in which thecover means consists of two side sections and a dominant center section,and in which the hinge axes of the side sections intersect the hingeaxis of the dominant center section in such a way that the boundingedges of opened adjacent sections approach one another as they swingtoward their closed positions, and in which at least one of each pair ofadjacent edges is provided with offset means engageable with itsneighbor for optionally blocking closure of the involved cover sectionsand detaining both sections in open condition.

3. A bumper for automotive vehicles as set forth in claim 1, butespecially of the pickup type, in which the outer faces of the coversections are flat and normally occupy a common horizontal plane, therebyproviding a uniform tread surface for loading, unloading, mounting anddismounting purposes.

4. A bumper as set forth in claim 2 in whichthe tray portion ofthe'bumper is completely open at the top and the cover sections beardirectly upon the upper surfaces of the inner, outer and end walls ofthe tray portion, and which further includes a pair of bumper carryingbars adapted for attachment to opposite sides of the vehicle chassis,said bars being integrally united with the inner, outer and bottom wallsof the tray por tion of the bumper and extending inward through theinner' wall for connection to the chassis.

5. A bumper as set forth in claim 4 in which the carrying bars aremodified to form compartment dividing partitions within the tray, eachadapted to serve as a rest for one margin of the center cover sectionand an adjacent margin of a side cover section, and one channeled toprovide a groove in which the working part ofajack may be snuglycradled.

6. A bumper as set forth in claim 1 in which the outer bumper wall isformed with an outwardly facing, external central recess, and the bumperincludes trailer tow means accessibly provided in the recess, and inwhich the outer bumper wall has further recesses at opposite sides ofthe central recess, and safety tow chain anchorages are provided withinsaid side recesses and extend completely across the side recesses.

.7. A bumper as set forth in claim 6 in which an active electricalsupply socket for trailers is accessibly provided in the central recessof the outer bumper wall.

1. A bumper for automotive vehicles in the form of a tool box closed atthe ends and long enough to extend across, and to protect, a vehiclethroughout the entire width thereof, said bumper comprising a shallowtray portion which includes vertically disposed, rigid inner, outer andend walls and a rigid horizontally disposed bottom wall rigidly unitedwith the inner, outer, and end walls, cover means hingedly mounted onthe inner wall for completing the enclosure, and locking means forretaining the cover means in closed condition, said cover meanscomprising a plurality of independent, hingedly mounted sections withadjacent sections having parts disposed in lapping relation and thelocking means provided on a single overlapping, dominant section, theconstruction and arrangement being such that the locking down of thedominant section in closed condition may be caused to retain the entirecover in closed condition.
 2. A bumper for automotive vehicles as setforth in claim 1 in which the cover means consists of two side sectionsand a dominant center section, and in which the hinge axes of thE sidesections intersect the hinge axis of the dominant center section in sucha way that the bounding edges of opened adjacent sections approach oneanother as they swing toward their closed positions, and in which atleast one of each pair of adjacent edges is provided with offset meansengageable with its neighbor for optionally blocking closure of theinvolved cover sections and detaining both sections in open condition.3. A bumper for automotive vehicles as set forth in claim 1, butespecially of the pickup type, in which the outer faces of the coversections are flat and normally occupy a common horizontal plane, therebyproviding a uniform tread surface for loading, unloading, mounting anddismounting purposes.
 4. A bumper as set forth in claim 2 in which thetray portion of the bumper is completely open at the top and the coversections bear directly upon the upper surfaces of the inner, outer andend walls of the tray portion, and which further includes a pair ofbumper carrying bars adapted for attachment to opposite sides of thevehicle chassis, said bars being integrally united with the inner, outerand bottom walls of the tray portion of the bumper and extending inwardthrough the inner wall for connection to the chassis.
 5. A bumper as setforth in claim 4 in which the carrying bars are modified to formcompartment dividing partitions within the tray, each adapted to serveas a rest for one margin of the center cover section and an adjacentmargin of a side cover section, and one channeled to provide a groove inwhich the working part of a jack may be snugly cradled.
 6. A bumper asset forth in claim 1 in which the outer bumper wall is formed with anoutwardly facing, external central recess, and the bumper includestrailer tow means accessibly provided in the recess, and in which theouter bumper wall has further recesses at opposite sides of the centralrecess, and safety tow chain anchorages are provided within said siderecesses and extend completely across the side recesses.
 7. A bumper asset forth in claim 6 in which an active electrical supply socket fortrailers is accessibly provided in the central recess of the outerbumper wall.